Machine for forming liner bags from thin sheet material



Oct. 1, 1940. H. 1.. JACOBY ET AL 2,216,349

MACHINE FOR FORMING LINER BAGS FROM THIN SHEET MATERIAL Filed Aug. 16,1939 9 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS.

ATTORNEYS Oct. 1, 1940. H. L. JACQBY Er AL 2,216,349

MACHINE FOR FORMING LINER BAGS FROM THI N SHEET MATERIAL Filed Aug. 15,1939 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VENTORS:

ATTORNEY3.

Oct. 1, 1940. H. 1.. JACOBY El AL 22%,349

MACHINE FOR FORMING LINER BAGS FROM THIN SHEET MATERIAL Filed Aug. 16,1959 9 Sheets-Sheet 3 H. JACOBY ET AL Oct. 1', 1940.

MACHINE FOR FORMING LINER BAGS FROM THIN SHEET MATERIAL 9 Sheets-Sheet 4Filed Aug. 16, 1939 INVENTORS mby {M ATTRNEY5.

1940. H. L. JAcoBY El AL 2,215,349

MACHINE FOR FORMING LINER BAGS FROM THIN SHEET MATERIAL Filed Aug. 16,1939 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 II E3 E ,R W as l 52 37 87 25/ 80 78 '7&

IN VENTORS ATTORNEYS Oct. 1, 1940. H. L JACO'BY ET A 22%,349

MACHINE FOR FORMING LINER BAGS FROM THIN SHEET MATERIAL Filed Aug. 16,1959 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 Oct. 1, 1940. H. L. JACOBY ET AL MACHINE FORFORMING LINER BAGS FROM THIN SHEET MATERIAL Filed Aug. 16, 1939 9Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTORS SM ATTORNEY-S L J 6 BY IIEQ- ll H. L. JACOBY ETAL.

MACHINE FOR FORMING LINER BAGS FROM THIN SHEET MATERIAL Filed Aug. 16,1939 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 Ji -1 1E...

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z/ //Z zoo l INVENTORS:

E 11) LAhcp J BY jaaaw W tlan, $1? m ATTORNEYS Oct. 1, 1940. H. 1..JACOBY ET AL. 2,215,349

MACHINE FOR FORMING LINER BAGS FROM THIN SHEET MATERIAL Filed Aug. 16,1959 9 sheetssheet 9 I I S114.

ATTORNEYS Patented Oct. 1, 1940 MACHINE FOR FORNHNG LINER. BAGS FROMTHIN SHEET MATERIAL Harry L. Jacoby, Philadelphia, Pa., and Isaac L.Wilcox, Fulton, N. Y., assignors to Oswego Falls Corporation, Fulton, N.Y., a corporation of New York Application August 16, 1939, Serial No.290,510

13 Claims.

This invention relates to a machine for form ing bags from thin sheetmaterial, and more particularly for forming bags from such material andinserting the same in a casing, the sheet material being moisture proofand the casing being formed of fibrous material, such as paper-board,whereby the bag serves as a liner to make a container suitable forliquid and moist products. A machine of this type is disclosed in thepatent to w Wilcox, No. 2,152,941, April 4, 1939.

The present invention consists of certain improvements on the machineshown in the Wilcox patent, and has as an object a machine of the typereferred to which is operable to automatically form the liner bags froma web of sheet material, such as Cellophane, and to insert the formedbags in the container casings.

The invention has as a further object a machine of the type referred toembodying means for automatically conveying the containers through themachine, automatically advancing the web of sheet material to theblanking mechanism, forming the bags and inserting the same in thecontainers, whereby the bags may be formed and inserted in thecontainers at a comparatively rapid rate to obtain high production.

The invention has as a further object the provision of means for aliningeach container with the bag forming mechanism and securely holding thecontainer while the bag is being inserted and attached to the container.

The invention has as a further object a particularly novel mechanism forfeeding the web of sheet material to the blanking mechanism of themachine and maintaining the web in condition to effect the mosteflicient blanking of the same.

The invention has as a further object, mechanism for positivelyoperating the folding fingers during the initial arrangement of theblank into bag formation, and the invention further in-- Figure 1 is atop plan view of a machine illustrating our invention.

Figure 2 is a front elevational view of the machine.

Figure 3 is a side elevational view of the ma- 5 chine.

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view of the ram, folding and pleatingmechanism, and container support, with the frame of the machine andassociated parts omitted.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary, vertical, sectional view of the folding andpleating mechanism.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary, top plan view of the folding mechanism.

Figure 7 is a horizontal, sectional view of the 15 actuating mechanismfor the folding and pleating mechanism and contiguous portions of themotion transmitting means for actuating the same.

Figure 8 is a side elevational view of the folding and pleatingactuating means shown in Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a top plan view of one of the web gripping devices in acontiguous portion of the conveyor chain to which said devices areattached.

Figure 10 is an end elevational view of a gripper device with acontiguous portion of the blank cutter and guiding track shown insection and illustrating the web held taut across the cutter.

Figure 11 is an end elevational view of a grip- 30 per device and acontiguous portion of a sprocket wheel illustrating the gripper in webreleasing position.

Figure 12 is a detail view of the container conveyor support andcontainer support together with contiguous portions of the frame of themachine.

Figure 13 is a vertical sectional view, with parts in elevation, of thestructure shown in Figure 12.

Figure 14 is a top plan view of the container support and contiguousportions of the container conveyor.

Figure 15 is a side elevational view of the structure shown in Figure14.

The machine consists of a suitable frame including base members It andupwardly extending side members I I, I2. The base members I0 extendforwardly and rearwardly from the uprights II, I2, and braces I 3 extendrearwardly and downwardly from the upper portions of the members II, I2,to the rear ends of the base members III.

The folding and pleating mechanisms are carried by a support l4, theinner side of which is secured to the uprights II, I2, and the outer orof brackets IS, the upper ends of which are secured to a transverselyextending cross member welded, or otherwise secured, to the upper endsof the side members I, |2.

The stem 20, carrying the ram 2|, is slidably mounted in bearings 22formed in a supporting block 23 and secured to the cross member I1, asby bolts 24. The rear side of the stem 26 is formed with gear teeth 25with which a pinion 26 meshes. The pinion 26 is secured to the end of ashaft 21 rotatably joumalled in a bearing 28 formed in the support block23 between the bearings 22 and a bearing 29 formed in a bracket 38secured to the cross member H, see Figures 1, 3 and 4. The outer end ofthe shaft 21 is formed with gear teeth 3| forming a pinion with which arack 32 meshes. The rack 32 is slidably mounted in the bracket 38, seeFigures 3 and 4, and upon reciprocation of the rack 32 the stem 20 andram 2| are moved vertically to draw the blank through the folding andpleating mechanism. The mechanism for efiecting reciprocation of therack 32 will be hereinafter described.

The folding and pleating mechanism carried by the support I4 is similarin general arrangement to that shown in the patent to Wilcox previouslyreferred to. The support i4 is formed with a central aperture arrangedin alinement with the ram 2|, and a plurality of folding fingers 35 arepivotally mounted at their inner ends adjacent the aperture in thesupport and extend radially therefrom. These fingers normally lie inhorizontal position and the outer ends of the fingers move upwardlytoward the ram as the same enters the aperture upon its downward stroke.The pivotal movement of the fingers is instrumental in arranging theblank of sheet material into bag formation.

As here shown, the fingers 35 are pivotally mounted on blocks 36 mountedin radially extending recesses 31 formed in the central portion 38 ofthe supporting plate l4. The central portion 38 is of reduced thickness.The blocks 36 are formed with an elongated s ot 39 through which aclamping screw 40 extends and which is threaded into an aperture 4| ofthe support l4.

, The recesses 31 and slots 33 are of sufiicient length to permit radialadjustment of the blocks 36, as indicated in Figures 5 and 6.

The inner ends of the blocks 36 are slotted as at 42, and the inner endsof the fingers 35 are pivotally mounted in these slots. As here shown,the fingers 35 are detachably secured to members 43 which are formedwith an arcuate portion having gear teeth 44 and a rearwardly extendingtail piece 45. In the structure shown in Figure 5, the tail pieces 45are secured to the members 43 by welding. as at 46. The top surface ofthe tail pieces 45 are formed with an axially extending rib, and theunder side of the base portion of the fingers 35 is formed with a slot41 to receive the rib on the tail piece, and the finger is detachablysecured to the tail piece by a screw 48. The members 43 are arranged inthe slots 42 of the respective blocks 36 and are pivotally mounted uponpins 49. The rear portion of the tail piece 45 rests upon the upper faceof the blocks 36 which are provided with circular recesses to receivethe heads of the screws 48.

The inner portion of the blocks 36 is also formed with a verticallyextending aperture 5| to slidably receive the racks 52, the teeth ofwhich are arranged to mesh with the teeth 44 on the members 43. It willbe apparent that,

front edge of the support I4 is carried by a pair upon vertical movementof the racks 52, the fingers 35 will be caused to pivot about the pins48 and approach a vertical position. The positive and simultaneousvertical movement of all the racks 52 is eifected by vertical movementof an annular plate 55. The plate 55 is formed with slots 56 extendingradially outwardly. The lower ends of the racks 52 are formed with areduced portion 51 slidably mounted in the slots 56. It will be apparentthat upon loosening the clamping screws 40 the finger assembly,including blocks 36 and racks 52, may be adjusted radially, in whichevent the racks 52 move with the blocks 36, the reduced portions 51 ofthe racks sliding in the slots 56. Radial adjustment of the fingerassemblies requires the use of fingers of different lengths, as will behereinafter apparent. However, this requirement is provided for in thatthe fingers 35 are readily detached from the members 43 by the screws48.

The plate 55 is secured at its periphery to an annular member 66 as by aclamping ring 6| and screws 62. The annular member 68 is formed with aplurality of slots 63 extending at an angle to the axis of the member,see Figure 8. The annular member is supported upon rollers 64 mountedupon studs 65 threaded into the periphery of a supporting ring 66 which,in turn, is secured to the under side of the support I4 by screws 61which extend through spacing collars 68 interposed between the ring 66and the under side of the support plate H, see Figures 4 and 5. Theplate 55 is provided with clearance apertures for the spacing collars 68to permit vertical movement of the plate 55 relative to the support I4.In view of the angularity of the slots 63, rotation of the annularmember 60 effects vertical movement thereof and accordingly, verticalmovement of the plate 55 and racks 52.

The pleating mechanism includes an annular series of depending fingers10 secured at their upper ends to the inner ends of the blocks 36 as byscrews or rivets H. The fingers 18 are arranged in alinement with thefingers 35, see Figure 6.

A ring 12 of yieldable material, such as rubber, is arranged to encirclethe fingers 10 adjacent their lower ends, and is mounted on a ringmember 13 as by a clamping plate 14 and screws 15. The ring member 13 ismounted within an annular member 16 which, in turn, is mounted withinthe member 66, and the members 13, 16 are supported by a plate 18secured to the lower edge of ring 66, as by screws 19. The periphery ofthe member 13 is formed with ratchet teeth 80, and the member 16 isprovided with one or more pawls 8|. An arm 82 is secured to the member16 and extends outwardly through a slot formed in the members 60, 66,see Figures 4 and 7. Motion transmitting mechanism is provided foroscillating both the members 60, 16, and oscillation of the member 16effects intermittent rotation of the member 13 which carries the annularrubber member 12.

The machine also includes cutters operable to shear or sever the blankfrom a web of sheet material. These cutters are in the nature of astationary die 85 and a movable cutter B6. The die has a top cuttingsurface 81 and a radially extending flange 88 which is secured to thesupport M as by screws 89. It will be understood that the die 85 isarranged concentrically of the pleating and folding mechanisms.

The cutter is preferably of the type disclosed in Patent No. 2,109,854to Wilcox. The cutter is carried by a pair of stems 30 slidably mountedin vertical bearings formed on a bracket 02 which is secured to theuprights II, I2, see Figures 2 and 3. The stems 80 are connected to theends of arms 93 by links 04. The arms 03 are integral with a rock shaft85 journalled in bearings 96 mounted on the upper edge of the crosspiece I1. One of the arms 93 extends rearwardly as at 91, and ispivotally connected to an adjustable link 98, the lower end of whichisconnected to an eccentric 89 mounted on a shaft I00. The shait I00extends transversely of the base members I0 and is journalled inbearings IOI and is rotated by a motor I02 through gears I03, I 04.Itwill be apparent upon rotation of the shaft I 00, the stems 80 willbe-reciprocated effecting movement of the cutter 66 toward and from thedie 85 into and out of shearing relation with the same.

The sheet material is in the form of a roll IIO supported on a shaft IIIcarried by brackets II2 secured to one of the base members I0 andextending upwardly therefrom. The web II3 of sheet material is passedover a tension roller I I0, see Figure 2, and is fed between the cuttingdies 06, 86 by mechanism operable to place the web under transversetension as it passes between the cutters. This mechanism consists of apair of endless chains II5 arranged in spaced apart relationship andbeing trained over sprocket wheels II6. One pair of sprocket wheels H6is mounted upon a shaft II'I journalled in bearings H8 supported bybrackets II9. One of the brackets is secured to the upright II, and theother bracket to the depending portion of the brace I5. The second setof sprockets II6 are mounted upon a shaft I20 journalled in bearingsI2I, one of which is secured to the forward side of the opposite braceI5, and the other bearing is carried by a bracket secured to the uprightI2. Preferably, a plurality of flat face pulleys I25 are arranged inspaced apart relationship on each of the shafts 1, I20. Each of thesprocket wheels I I6 is formed with a radially extending flange I21arranged in spaced apart relationship to the teeth I28 of the sprocketand to the outside thereof. The weels II6 are also formed with acylindrical base I30 arranged to the inside of the teeth I28 and inspaced apart relation thereto.

Each of the chains I I5 is provided at predetermined intervals withgripping members operable to grip the side edges of the web II3. Thesegripping members consist of inner and outer blocks I3I mounted upon pinsI32 extending through the links of the chain H5. The inner block I3I isformed with an integral inwardly extending jaw I33, and is provided withan aperture to receive a stud I34 which is secured against rotation by anut I35. A movable jaw I36 is pivotally mounted upon the stud I34 withthe jaw portion arranged directly over the jaw portion of jaw I33. Themovable jaw I36 is formed with a depending portion I31 having aninwardly projecting pin I38 on which is journalled a roller M6. Themovable jaw I36 is biased toward the rigid jaw I33 by a tortion springI40 encircling stud I30, and the jaw I38 is moved upwardly or away fromthe jaw I33 as the gripping members successively engage the sprocketwheels H6, at which time the roller I39 engages the cylindrical surfaceI30, see Figures 9, and 11.

The general arrangement is such that the web H3 is received between thechains II5, with the central portion of the web supported by the flatpulleys I25; The edges of the web pass over the gripping portion of thestationary iaws I33. The movable jaws I36 at this time have been movedto open position by roller I36 engaging surface I30. As the grippingmembers pass out of engagement with the sprocket wheel II6 adjacent theroll of material IIO, the edges of the web II3 are clamped against thelower jaw I33 by the movable jaw I36. As the gripping members and webprogress toward the cutters 85, 86, each chain is biased outwardly totension the web. This is accomplished by a track I 50 extendingtransversely of the support I4 on each side 01' the stationary cutter85. The tracks diverge slightly toward the front and rear sides of thesupport I4 thus causing each of the chains Hi to move slightly outwardlyfrom the stationary cutter 85, with the result that the web H3 ismaintained in a taut condition across the cutting edge of the die, and aclear even blank is sheared from the web upon the descent of the cutter06.

As the grippers and chain progress, the movable jaw I36 is released fromthe web upon engagement of the rollers I30 with the surface I30 on theopposite pair of sprocket wheels H6, and the waste portion of the webmay be deposited in a container or otherwise disposed of.

In order to prevent any twisting movement of the chain while the rollersI36 are in engagement with the surface I30, the outer block I3I isprovided with a roller I55 which is arranged to engage the flange I21 onthe outer side of the sprocket wheel.

The shaft I is intermittently rotated in timed relation to the movementof the cutter 86 to effect proper feeding of the web II3. A gear wheelI58 is rotatably mounted upon the shaft I20 between the inner sprocketwheel and bracket HE. A member I59 is secured to the gear I58 and isprovided with a pair of spring actuated p'awls I60 arranged injuxtaposition to the periphery of a ratchet wheel I6I which is securedto the shaft I20. The wheel I58 is oscillated by a vertically extendingrack I62 meshing therewith and being adjustably secured to the end of aconnecting rod I63, as at I64. The opposite end of the connecting rod issecured to a disk I65 having a crank pin I66 adjustable to vary thestroke of the rod I63. The disk I65 is secured to a shaft I61 mounted inbearings I68 arranged on the base of the machine and being operativelyconnected to the drive shaft I00 through miter gears I68.

The rack 32 is connected to one arm I12 of an angle lever pivotallymounted upon a shaft I13 secured in brackets I14 mounted on the rearside of the vertical members II, I2, the rack 32 being connected to thearm I12 by a link I15. An adjustable link I16 is pivotally connected tothe opposite arm I18 of the angle lever, and the lower' end of this linkis provided with an eccentric I19 operable by the shaft I00 to eifectvertical reciprocation of the link I16 and accordingly, horizontalreciprocation of the rack 32.

' The ring 16 is oscillated by a link I82 pivotally; connected to theouter end of link 82 as by cou-' pling I83. The opposite end of the linkI82 is pivotally connected to an arm I84 of a rocker member I85 pivotedon a shaft I86 mounted in brackets I81 secured to the members I I, I2.The rearwardly extending arm I 83 of the rocker member is pivotallyconnected to a link I89 provided at its lower end with an eccentric 90operable by the shaft I00.

' The annular member 60 is oscillated to eifect pivotal movement of thefingers 35 by a link I3I pivotally connected at the forward end to aprojection I92 extending from the periphery of the member 60. The linkI9I is pivotally connected at its rear end to an arm I94 of a rockermember I95 which is also rotatably mounted upon the shaft I86. Therocker members I85, I95 are held from axial movement by collars I96. Therearwardly extending arm I91 is pivotally connected to the upper end ofa link I98, the lower end of which is provided with an eccentric I99also operable by the shaft I00.

The containers or casings C, in which the liner bags are inserted, areconveyed beneath the bag forming mechanism carried by the support I4 bya conveyor extending from the front to the rear of the machine, theconveyor being operable to position the containers in axial alinementbelow the bag forming mechanism, and means is provided for eflectingvertical movement of the container after the liner bag has been placedtherein to fold the upper edge of the bag over the top edge of thecontainer.

The container conveyor is supported by a pair of U shaped members 200.These members are formed with depending angle pieces 20I at their innerends and with angular braces 202 extending from the lower ends of thedepending pieces 20I upwardly and forwardly to the horizontal portion ofthe U members 200. The angle pieces 20I are slidable vertically ontransversely extending angle plates .203 secured to the uprights II, I2.The U members 200 are adjusted vertically by a screw 204 operatedthrough gearing bya hand wheel 205.

The container conveyor consists of a forward and a rear section, theforward section being mounted upon and supported by the forwardvertically extending leg portions of the U mem bers 200, and the rearsection of the conveyor being carried by the rear legs of said members.Each section of the conveyor is made up of a pair of spaced apartparallel extending side pieces here shown as consisting of upper andlower angle sections 206, 201. These sections are arranged with theirsides in reverse order with a plate 208 secured between the angle pieces206, 201. The angle pieces and the plates may be secured together in anysuitable manner as by welding and the arrangement is such that the upperside of the angle piece 206 forms a guide rail for the containers, andthe plates 208 form a support for the containers while they are beingconveyed. The confronting edges of the plates 208 are spaced apart topermit operation of a conveyor chain 209 which is provided at intervalswith container engaging members 2 I0.

The angle pieces 206, 201 and plates 208 are arranged between the bagforming mechanism and the lower run of the chain H5. Plates 2 aresecured to the forward and rear end of the forward and rear conveyorsections respectively and form supports in which shafts 2 I2 arejournalled and which carry the sprockets over which the endless conveyorchain 209 is trained. Prefer-- ably, one set of plates 2 I I areprovided with means as screw 2 I 3 for adjusting the tension of thechain. The front and rear sections of the conveyor are arranged inalinement and the entire conveyor may be adjusted vertically toward andfrom the bag forming mechanism by operation of the hand wheel 205.

The forward and rear sections of the container conveyor are separatedbelow the bag forming mechanism in order to accommodate a verticallymovable container support. This support consists of a U shaped memberhaving a base 2 I5 and vertically extending sides 2I6. The base 2I6 issupported by a shaft 2" slidably mounted in a bearing 2I8 secured to across piece 2I9 extendin between the angle braces 202. The shaft 2" isconnected to a shaft 220 slidably mounted in a cross piece 22I extendingbetween the base members I0. The shafts 2I1, 220 are connected by anadjustable coupling 222 and the shafts, together with the containersupport, are movable vertically by a link 223 pivoted at 224 andactuated by a cam 225. A plate 226 is secured to each of the sidemembers 2I6. The plates 226 extend inwardly to form a support 221 forthe container, and extend outwardly an appreciable distance beyond thesides 2I6. The inwardly extending supporting surfaces 221 are arrangedin alinement with the plates 208 and are of such length as to permitvertical movement between the confronting ends of the forward and rearsection of the conveyor, whereby the container may be elevated towardthe bag forming mechanism.

The movable container support is provided with means operable to arrangethe container in axial alinement with the bag forming mechanism and togrip the container while the bag is being inserted into the containerand the ram being withdrawn therefrom. This means consists of a pair ofjaw members 230 arranged on each of the plates 226. The jaws 230 arepivotally connected at their ends to links 23I which are formed withangle arms 232. The arms 232 are pivotally connected at their ends by a,link 233 and are yieldingly actuated to move the jaws 230 inwardly togrip a container by springs 234. A plate 235 is secured to each of theplates 226 in spaced apart relationship thereto and extend over thelinks 23I. The plates are provided at their inner edges with verticallyextending flanges 231 to form guide rails for the container. The plates235 are secured to the plates 226 by screws 238 and spacers 239.

The jaws 230 are normally maintained in container gripping position bythe springs 234. The links 23I and jaws 230 are actuated to move thejaws outwardly, while the containers are being moved by the chain 209.This movement is effected by levers 240 pivoted at 24I to the rear legsof the U members 200. These levers are connected together by tie rods242, and the levers are provided at their forward ends with upwardlyextending cam projections 244. One of the levers 240 is provided with arearwardly extending portion 245 which is engaged by a roller 246secured to the link I16 which actuates the ram 2I vertically, ashereinbefore described. The links 233 are provided with laterallyprojecting pins 241 which are arranged to be engaged by the camprojections 244 on levers 240'. The arrangement is such that during thedownward stroke of the ram 2I through the bag forming mechanism and theinsertion of the formed bag into the container on the container support,the forward ends of the levers 240 are moved downwardly out ofengagement with the pins 241, whereby the container 2n the containersupport is gripped by the jaws After the bag has been inserted into thecontainer, the container support is elevated by the cam 225 to move thetop of the container into a heater ring 250 secured to the annularmember 18 by screws 25I.' The heater ring 250 is maintained at theproper temperature by any suitable means as an electric heater coil 252.The lower portion of the ring 250 is tapered as at 253. The formed bagis of such dimension that it projects slightly above the top edge of thecontainer C. The top of the container is preferably coated with anadhwive reactivated by heat and accordingly, when the container supportis elevated the upwardly extending top edge of the bag is folded overthe top edge of the container by the conical bore 253 and ring 256, andthe container is moved upwardly until the top edge of the container,with thebag folded thereunder, is positioned in the cylindrical bore 256of the ring 256, whereupon the overfolded portion of the bag is securedto the top of the container or casing because of the heat transferredfrom ring 256.

The arrangement of the levers 240 and the roller 246 is such that thejaws 236 continue to grip the container during downward movement of thecontainer support and while the ram is being withdrawn from the bag inthe container, whereupon the roller 246 moves out of engagement with therearwardly extending portion 245 of the lever 246, permitting the camportions 244 of the levers 246 to move upwardly under the influence ofspring 266 and into engagement with the pins 241 effecting outwardmovement of the jaws 236' to release the container. This movement takesplace just previous to the movement of the conveyor chain 269.

The shaft 2l2 supporting the rear sprocket wheel of the containerconveyor is provided with a notched wheel 26I and a member 262 isloosely journalled upon the shaft and provided at one end with a pawl263 operable to engage the teeth on the wheel 26L The opposite end ofthe member 262 is connected to an arm 264 by alink 265. The arm 264 ismounted upon a transversely extending shaft 266 journalled in bearings261 arranged on the uprights [6, II. The shaft 266 is oscillated by alink 2656 reciprocated by an eccentric 269 secured to the shaft I66.This arrangement is such as to move the upper run of the conveyor chain266 rearwardly to move a container off from the'container support and to-move another container thereon during which movement the jaws 236 aremaintained out of container engaging position.

It will be understood that the arrangement of the eccentrics and cams onthe shaft I66 and the intermittent drive for shaft I26 is such as tosheet operation of the various moving parts of the machine in propertimed relationship.

Assuming the web is stretched taut across the stationary cutter 65, theoperation of the machine is as follows: The movable cutter 66 descendsand shears a circular blank from the web,

the blank falling upon the horizontally extending fingers 35. Duringthis movement the ram 2i descends and as it enters the aperture in thesupport t4, the member 66 is actuated causing the racks 52 to move thefingers 35 about their pivots toward vertical position. This movement ofthe fingers takes place while the ram is passing into the aperture. Anannular member 216 is slidably mounted upon the ram or the stem 26thereof. A plurality of bars or fingers 2'" are secured to the annularmember 216 and extend downwardly and inwardly toward the axis of theram, see Figure 4. The fingers 21! are spaced apart circumferentiallyabout the ram and are arranged intermediate the folding fingers 35andare cooperable with those fingers to form the marginal portion of theblank into a plurality of radially extending folds. Downward movement ofthe member 216 is controlled by a pair of rods 213 extending upwardlyfrom the member 216 and being slidabiy arranged in a bifurcated bracket214. The upper ends of the rods 213 are provided with adjustable heads215. The member 216 is yieldingly urged downwardly to position thefingers 21! about the rain by helical compression springs 216.

It will be apparent as the ram passes into the aperture of the support Mthe blank is arranged into bag formation with the side wall of the bagbeing formed into a plurality of radially extending folds by the fingers35, 25l.- These folds pass between the stationary fingers 16, and as thebag is drawn through the aperture the member 15 is rotated imparting arotary motion to the rubber ring 12. The movement of the ring 12arranges the radially extending folds into circumferentially extendingpleats during the passage of the bag through the pleating and foldingmechanism. The bag is now completely formed and further downwardmovement of the ram transfers the bag into a container positioned uponthe container support. During this downward movement of the ram, thelevers 246 have been moved out of engagement with the pin 241, wherebythe container is firmly gripped by the jaws 236,

Preferably, the blank is initially proportioned so that when it isformed into bag formation and the bag is pressed into the container, theopen end of the bag projects upwardly beyond the top edge of thecontainer. This upwardly extending portion of the bag is foldedoutwardly over the top edge of the container by a plurality of radiallymovable members 286 carried by the ram and which are actuated by a stem28! provided with a piston 282 slidably mounted in a cylinder carried inthe ram stem 26. A pipe 283 extends from the top of this cylinderupwardly through the ram and is connected to a source of air pressure byvalve 264. When the ram reaches the end of its downward stroke, thevalve 284 is open admitting air pressure against the top of piston 222,causing it and stem 26! to move downwardly and actuate the members 286outwardly to fold the open end of the bag outwardly, as indicated at286, Figure 2. l

'The ram thereupon moves upwardly and the container support issimultaneously elevated by cam 225 and lever 223. The ram continues toascend until it reaches the top of its stroke. The top of the containeris moved into engagement with the ring member 256 and the outwardlyflaring portion of the bag is pressed against and sealed to the top ofthe container. The container support is then moved downwardly to normalposition and the jaws 236 are moved out of engagement with thecontainer. Thereupon the container conveyor chain 269 is indexed to movea new container onto the container support and after the ram hasascended sufficiently to clear the web M3 the chains H5 are advanced tofeed a new portion of the web over the cutter die 65.

From the description of the structure, it will be apparent that we havedevised a machine for forming liner bags and inserting the same incontainers which operates entirely automatically.

A roll of sheet material may be mounted upon gripping members arrangedon each side of the web and operable to tension the web transversely,said cutters being operable to shear a blank from the web and depositthe same onto said folding mechanism, a ram slidably mounted in theframe and being movable into and out of said aperture, and said foldingmechanism being cooperable with said ram during movement of the sameinto said aperture to form the severed blank into a bag.

2. A machine for forming bags from a web of thin sheet materialcomprising a frame, a support carried by the frame, said support beingformed with a central aperture and being provided with foldingmechanism, an annular cutter mounted on the support and being arrangedconcentric with said aperture and folding mechanism, a second cutternormally spaced above said first cutter and being movable into and outof shearing relation with said first cutter, means operable to advancethe web between said cutters, gripping members arranged on each side ofthe web and operable to grip the edges thereof and to maintain the webunder transverse tension, a ram slidably mounted in the frame and beingmovable through said cutters and into and out of the aperture in saidsupport, and said folding mechanism being cooperable with said ram uponmovement of the same toward the support to form the severed blank intobag formation.

3. A machine for forming bags from a web of thin sheet materialcomprising a frame, a sup port mounted on the frame, said support beingformed with a central aperture and being provided with foldingmechanism, a cutter mounted on the support and arranged concentric withsaid aperture and said folding mechanism, a second cutter movable intoand out of shearing relation with said first cutter, an endless seriesof gripping members movable along opposite sides of said cutters andoperable to grip the side edges of the web and feed the same betweensaid cutters, said cutters being cooperable during said shearingrelation to sever a blank from said web and deposit the blank on saidfolding mechanism, a ram slidably mounted in the frame and being movablethrough said cutters and into and out of said aperture to draw the blanktherethrough, said folding mechanism being cooperable with said ram toform a blank into bag formation.

4. A machine for forming bags from a web of thin sheet materialcomprising a frame, a support carried by the frame, said support beingprovided with a central aperture, folding mechanism carried by thesupport, an annular cutter mounted on the support concentric with saidaperture and said folding mechanism, a second cutter movable into andout of shearing relation with said first cutter, an endless chainoperable along each side of said cutters, said chain being provided witha plurality of gripping members and means operable to cause saidgripping members to grip the side edges of the web and advance the samebetween said cutters, and means operable to effect a spreading movementof said chains to maintain the web under transverse tension, a ramslidably mounted in the frame and being movable through said cuttersinto and out of the aperture in said support to draw the blanktherethrough, and said folding mechanism being cooperable with said ramto form the blank into bag formation.

5. A machine for forming bags from thin sheet material comprising aframe, a support mounted on the frame and being formed with a centralaperture, a plurality of folding fingers pivotally mounted on saidsupport and extending radially from said aperture, a ram slidablymounted in the frame and movable into and out of said aperture, saidfingers being normally arranged in horizontal position to receive ablank of sheet material and being movable toward vertical position andbeing cooperable with the ram during such movement to form the blankinto bag formation, and motion transmitting means cooperable with saidram and said fingers to effect pivotal movement of said fingers uponmovement of the ram toward said aperture.

6. A machine for forming bags from thin sheet material comprising asupport formed with a central aperture, a plurality of fingers pivotallymounted on said support and extending radially from said aperture, saidfingers being normally arranged in horizontal position to receive ablank of sheet material, a ram slidably mounted in the frame and movableinto and out of said aperture to draw the blank therethrough, and motiontransmitting means carried by said support and operable upon movement ofsaid ram toward the support to effect pivotal movement of said fingerstoward vertical position.

7. A machine for forming liner bags from thin sheet material comprisinga frame, a support carried by the frame and provided with a centralaperture, a plurality of folding fingers pivotally mounted adjacent saidaperture and extending radially therefrom, each of said fingers beingprovided with a pinion, a rack slidably mounted in said support andarranged to engage each of said pinions, said rack and pinions beingcooperable upon vertical movement of said rack to effect movement ofsaid fingers from horizontal to vertical position, a ram slidablymounted in the frame and movable into and out of said aperture, saidfingers being normally arranged in horizontal position to receive ablank of sheet material, and motion transmitting means cooperable withsaid racks and said ram to effect vertical movement of said rack uponmovement of said ram toward said support.

8. A machine for forming liner bags from thin sheet material comprisinga frame, a support carried by the frame and provided with a centralaperture, a plurality of folding fingers pivotally mounted on saidsupport adjacent said aperture and extending radially therefrom, a ramslidably mounted in the frame and movable into and out of said aperture,said fingers normally extending in a horizontal position, motiontransmitting means cooperable with said fingers and said ram to effectmovement of said fingers to vertical position during movement of the ramtoward said support, and means for adjusting said fingers and saidmotion transmitting means radially toward and from the axis of saidaperture.

9. A machine for forming liner bags from thin sheet material comprisinga frame. a support cartill ried by the frame and provided with a centralaperture, a plurality of folding fingers plvotally mounted on saidsupport adjacent said aperture and extending radially therefrom, apinion secured to each of said fingers, a rack cooperable with each ofsaid pinions, and said racks being mounted in said support and beingslidable axially thereof, said racks and pinions being cooperable uponvertical movement of said racks to effect movement of said fingers fromhorizontal to vertical position, a ram slidably mounted in the frame andmovable into and out of said aperture, motion transmitting meanscooperable with said racks and said ram to effect vertical movement ofsaid racks upon movement of said ram toward said support, and means foradjusting said fingers and said racks radially toward and from the axisof said aperture. 1

10. A machine for forming liner bags from thin sheet material comprisinga frame, a support cartried by the frame and provided with a centralaperture, a ram slidably mounted in the frame and movable into and outof said aperture, a plurality of blocks mounted on said support andbeing adjustable towardand from the axis of said aperture, a holdingfinger pivotally mounted on each of said blocks, said fingers normallyextending in horizontal position to receive said sheet material, andmotion transmitting means cooperable with said fingers and said ram toeffect movement of said fingers toward vertical position upon movementof said ram toward said aperture.

ll. A machine for forming liner bags from thin sheet material comprisinga frame, a support carried by the frame and provided with a centralaperture, a ram slidably mounted in the frame and movable into and outof said aperture, a plurality of blocks mounted on said support andbeing adjustable radially toward and from said aperture, each of saidfingers being provided with a pinion portion, an annular member arrangedbelow said support, a plurality of racks carried by said annular member,each of said racks engaging the pinion portion of one of said fingersand being cooperable therewith upon upward movement of said annularmember to move said fingers from horizontal to vertical position, andmotion transmitting means cooperable with said ram and said annularmember to effect upward movement of the latter upon movement of the ramtoward said aperture.

12. A machine for forming liner bags of thin sheet material comprising aframe, a support carried by the frame and provided with a centralaperture, a ram slidably mounted in the frame and movable into and outof said aperture, a plurality of blocks mounted on said support andbeing adjustable radially toward and from said aperture, a foldingfinger pivotally mounted on each of said blocks, and each of saidfingers being provided with a pinion portion, an annular member arrangedbelow said support and being movable vertically toward and from saidsupport, said annular member being formed with a plurality of slotsextending radially from said aperture, a rack mounted in each of saidslots and being cooperable with the pinion portion of each of saidfingers to effect vertical movement thereof upon' upward movement ofsaid annular member, each of said racks being adjustable radially insaid slots, and motion transmitting means cooperable with said ram andsaid annular memher to effect upward movement thereof upon movement ofthe ram toward said aperture.

13. A machine for forming liner bags from thin sheet material comprisinga frame, a support carried by the frame and being provided with acentral aperture, a ram slidably mounted in the frame and being movableinto and out of said aperture, a plurality of blocks mounted on saidsupport and being adjustable radially toward and from said aperture, afolding finger pivotally mounted on each of said blocks and extendingradially from said aperture, each of said folding fingers being providedwith an inward portion, a pleating finger fixedly secured to each ofsaid blocks and depending axially in said aperture, an annular memberarranged below said support and being movable vertically toward and fromthe same, a plurality of racks secured to said annular member, each ofsaid racks being cooperable with the pinion portion of each of saidfolding fingers to effect movement of the same toward vertical positionupon upward movement of said annular member, each of said racks beingradially adjustable on said annular member toward and from the axis ofsaid aperture, and motion transmitting means cooperable with said ramand said annular member to effect vertical movement of the latter uponmovement of the ram toward said aperture.

14. A machine for forming liner bags of thin sheet material andinserting the same in containers comprising a frame, a support carriedby the frame and being provided with a central aperture, a ram slidablymounted in the frame and movable into and out of said aperture, aplurality of folding fingers pivotally mounted on said support andextending radially from said aperture, said fingers being cooperableupon movement of the ram towards said aperture to form a sheet of saidmaterial into bag formation, and said ram being operable to press saidbag through said aperture and into a container posi tioned below saidsupport, a container conveyor arranged below said support, said conveyorcomprising a forward section and a rear section, a container supportarranged intermediate said sections and normally positioned in registertherewith to receive a container conveyed by said conveyor, meanscarried by said container support and operable to'position a containerin register with said aperture.

15. A machine for forming liner bags of thin sheet material andinserting the same in containers comprising a frame, a support carriedby the frame and being provided with a central aperture, a ram slidablymounted in the frame and movable into and out of said aperture, aplurality of folding fingers pivotally mounted on said support andextending radially from said aperture, said fingers being cooperableupon movement of the ram towards said aperture to form a sheet of saidmaterial into bag formation, and said ram being operable to press saidbag through said aperture and into a container positioned below saidsupport, a container conveyor arranged below said support, said conveyorcomprising a forward section and a rear section, a container supportarranged intermediate said sections and normally positioned in registertherewith to receive acontainer conveyed by said conveyor, means carriedby said container support and operable to position a container inregister with said aperture, and means operable to move said containerconveyor upwardly to move the upper edge of the container in engagementwith said support.

16. A machine for forming liner bags of thin sheet material andinserting the same in containers comprising a frame, a support carriedby the frame and being provided with a central aperture, a ram slidablymounted in the frame and movable into and out of said aperture, aplurality of folding fingers pivotally mounted on said support andextending radially from said aperture, said fingers being cooperableupon movement of the ram towards said aperture to form a sheet of saidmaterial into bag formation and said ram being operable to press saidbag through said aperture and into a container positioned below saidsupport, a container conveyor arranged below said support, said conveyorcomprising a forward section and a rear section, means operable toadjust said conveyor sections in unison toward and from said support, acontainer support arranged intermediate said sections and normallypositioned in register therewith to receive a container conveyed by saidconveyor, means carried by said container support and operable toposition a container in register with said aperture.

1'7. A machine for forming liner bags from a web of thin sheet materialand inserting the bags in containers comprising a frame, a supportcarried by the frame, said support being formed with a central apertureextending therethrough, folding mechanism carried by said support, a ramslidably mounted in the frame and movable into and out of said apertureand being cooperable with said folding mechanism to form a blank intobag formation, a container support arranged below said first mentionedsupport coaxially with the aperture therein, means operable to move saidram downwardly through said aperture and folding mechanism to positionthe formed bag into a container on said container support, and

container engaging members carried by the container support and operableto grip the container during movement of the ram into and out of thecontainer and to subsequently release the container.

18. A machine for forming bags from a web of thin sheet materialcomprising a frame, a support carried by the frame and being formed inan aperture extending therethrough, a die arranged above said supportconcentrically with the aperture thereof, a cutter slidably mounted inthe frame, an endless series of gripping members movable along oppositesides of the die and operable to grip the side edges of a web of sheetmaterial and feed the same between the die and cutter, means operableduring movement of said gripping members in proximity to the die to moveeach series of members outwardly from the axis of the die to maintainthe web taut, said cutter being movable into and out of shearingrelation with said die and operable to shear a blank from said web, aplurality of fingers pivotally mounted on said support and arranged toreceive the blank, a ram slidably mounted in the frame and being movableinto and out of said aperture to draw the blank therethrough, meansoperable to effect pivotal movement of said fingers upon movement of theram into said aperture, means cooperable with said fingers during suchpivotal movement to arrange the blank in bag formation, and meansoperable to move said cutter into shearing relation to the die andsubsequently move the ram through said aperture.

HARRY L. JACOBY. ISAAC L. WILCOX.

